"The best way to mix is to do it in the arrangement."

In many cases, mixing is deciding what elementi is present and what's not in a song. Especially if two or more instruments are hogging the same frequency range.

On the other hand, I think a proper mix forms from the following key factors:

1) A right balance between the instruments

Finding a right balance is usually the first step when starting with a new track. It's about putting the instruments into their correct places using mainly volume and panning. The balance usually alters during the mixdown after applying effects like compressors or EQ that will influence the gain of the instruments.

2) Clarity and space

This is where I start placing specific instruments in their frequency range. This is something I do by using EQ and low-pass and hi-pass filters. For space, I use reverbs and delays to place instruments horizontally into the stereo field to either place them further or closer or make them jump out of the mix.

3) The right amount of gain

It's a common belief that the critical part of mastering is about making the mix as loud as possible. In reality, the gain is decided in the mix. I master songs using the LUFS value, more precisely I try to match my masters overall gain to -14 LUFS. But, that value doesn't still tell how the actual track is going to sounds like. So, making a track as loud as possible means that it has to be mixed with a lot of space and headroom. In practice, this means using the right amount of compression.

I will not crush your tracks dynamics, but I will mix your track so that it's possible to master loud enough to match any commercial recording made.

Now the latter is only a rough idea of how I mix. There usually isn't an order or a specific process of how I mix. It is all dependent on the genre and most commonly what I see as the main character or element in the mix.

After this, we can continue with the mixing service, that includes following steps:

1) Briefing

This is where we discuss and decide what kind of sound we're aiming for: this can be done over a Skype call or Email or however you prefer to do it.

2) First commenting round

This is done after I've sent you my first version of your mix. Is something too loud or too quiet, is the mix going in the right direction and so on.

3) Second commenting round

This is where I've done the requested fixes, and I will send you a new version the verify that you are satisfied.

4) The final product

As for the final product, I will send you max three different versions of your mix. You can decide for yourself what versions they are, but usually, they are for example instrumental, a radio mix and a "more bass" mix.

Pricing

My pricing model is pretty simple: if you're going for five tracks, you'll get one track mixed for free. If you want me to mix ten tracks, you'll get two tracks mixed for free. After ten tracks, we can discuss for a customised offer.

30 USD for 1 track

120 USD for 5 tracks

240 USD for 10 tracks

I'm using PayPal to invoice my services. You do not need to have or create a new PayPal account for succesful transactions. I can provide the ordered service after receiving the payment.

Both my mixing and mastering services have a 100% Money-back Guarantee: If you are not satisfied with the results, I will refund your money, no questions asked.

Tools

Excluding my monitor speakers, my audio interface and my DA converter, I mix only digitally or inside the box so to say. I have an acoustic treated room (pyramid studios) at my home which is currently located in Bangkok Thailand.

Being a victim of plugin marketing for several years, I've only discovered that it's not that much about the tools you have, but how you make the best of them; most of the digital products that make a difference are EQ's, Compressors and Reverbs. I work mainly with Slate Digital and Waves plugins.

I got seriously into mixing around 2015. This was a natural move from being a producer and a composer; mixing is a vital part of producing music, especially in large multitrack projects. In 2018 I started an online mixing (and mastering) service to provide mixing to other artists and bands over the internet.

Fill to apply for the online mixing service

Artist or band *

Country *

Number of tracks *

Email Address *

Music style / genre

Possible reference tracks

This is where you can send me tracks that you would like your mix to sound like.

SoundCloud, YouTube etc.

Please add a link to your Soundcloud, YouTube, Bandcamp etc. profile where I can get to know your music better. If you don't have an online profile, you can just leave this blank.

http://

Additional info / Message

Here you can tell a bit more about your band or project or send me a personal message.

Thank you for applying for my mixing service! I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Bear with me as I’m currently in GMT+07:00 timezone (Bangkok, Thailand).

If you have any additional questions about my services or products, don't hesitate to send me a message to arttu@arttusilvast.com or by using the contact form.